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Trafalgar 2013
Media Kit
Welcome!
I’d personally like to welcome you to the unique world of
Trafalgar, where we open the door to unforgettable travel
experiences in Europe. With over 65 years’ experience in
guided vacations, we specialize in revealing the world around
us to millions of satisfied guests.
We’re the friend you wish you had in each destination.
Our local knowledge and expertise ensures your travel
dreams are fulfilled. Each guided vacation provides the right
balance of included sightseeing and free time with many
First Class inclusions. We carefully select First Class hotels in
locations that complement your itinerary. And we look after
you during your stay making sure you don’t have to lift a
finger. You’ll travel on our modern coaches with professional
Coach Drivers who are dedicated to taking care of you. And
we’ll introduce you to a world of culinary delights showcased
by special Highlight Meals that immerse you in the local
flavors of the regions you visit.
But we also do something that no one else does. We’ll
show you Europe from a unique insider’s view, with exclusive
experiences you won’t encounter any other way. We’ll
reveal the unexpected and surprise you with places only
locals know about. You’ll be invited to savor authentic dishes
in unique venues with our exclusive Be My Guest dining
experiences. And with our outstanding Travel Directors,
you’ll discover more than you ever could on your own.
As a family-owned company, we’re always going the extra
mile to offer genuine travel experiences at exceptional
value. I’m proud to lead a team that works tirelessly to ensure
we make it easy for our guests to see, explore and embrace
the places they visit.
So please, come join us on the vacation of a lifetime
in Europe.
Gavin Tollman, Trafalgar CEO
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Provence, France
Story of Trafalgar
Bonding over home cooked lasagna in a Tuscan
family home, marvelling at the magnificence
of Machu Picchu, learning the art of wine
blending at a California winery – in our 65 years
of international travel, Trafalgar has delivered
unforgettable experiences to over two million
travelers around the world.
Get an insider's perspective from your Travel Director
From its humble beginnings in 1947 to today,
Trafalgar upholds its reputation as a world leader in
guided vacations. Part of The Travel Corporation,
a family-owned international travel group, the
company has established Trafalgar to be the
respected brand it is today, making global travel
accessible to everyone and providing unique local
experiences not offered by any other travel company.
The exclusive relationships formed with families,
skilled artisans and expert guides in local regions
around the world, together with Trafalgar’s
knowledgeable Travel Directors, are what make the
Trafalgar insider experience come to life.
Trafalgar passionately believes in the power of travel
to broaden the mind and build bridges between
people and culture, offering hassle-free vacations to
the United Kingdom, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean,
USA, Canada, South America, Central America, Asia,
Australia and New Zealand.
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Travel with an Insider
Traveling is just as much about the sights you see as it is the
friendly local faces you meet. With each unique encounter,
you’ll be immersed in the local way of life as if it were
your own. The people you travel with will become more
like family each day, and your Travel Director will share
their passion for Europe in ways beyond expected.
Enjoy meeting local characters
THE FINEST TRAVEL DIRECTORS
LOCAL EXPERTS j
It’s the stories behind each destination that allow you to truly
get a feel for the places you visit, and no one does it better
than our Travel Directors. They are your friend in Europe
and bring each destination to life, giving you a real insider’s
perspective on each region, in ways you simply couldn’t
On select itineraries, enjoy the company of skilled Local
Experts such as interpretive guides, indigenous storytellers,
naturalists, geologists and historians. They’ll enrich your
travel experience by sharing fascinating insights, based on
their specialized knowledge in the area you’re visiting.
experience if traveling on your own.
LOCAL GUIDES 5
Delve deeper into the heart of a city with entertaining
Local Guides who'll join you at various destinations during
your vacation. As locals to the area, they’ll share their
passion of the city they grew up in and take your sightseeing
experience to a whole new level, showing you specific sights
in more detail.
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Magical
sightseeing
We’ll show you more of Europe than you ever
imagined possible. We’ll take you to all the
must-see sights and enrich your vacation with
exclusive experiences. And with the perfect
balance of included sightseeing and free time,
you can customize your dream vacation with the
things you’ve always wanted to do.
UNIQUE INSIGHTS l
Our Unique Insights will give you a real sense of culture, with
visits to places which are distinctive to the area you’re visiting.
For example in Rome, follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo
and da Vinci when visiting the Vatican Museums. Ascend the
step-less spiral staircase designed by famous architect Donato
Bramante, in a part of the Vatican not open to the public.
Unique Insights feature on select itineraries only.
FASCINATING LOCAL Specialties I
Europe is full of culture and traditions, and you’ll experience
first-hand the special crafts and customs of the places you
visit with our Local Specialties. Watch skilled artisans at work,
learn about the history of the craft and often sample the
fruits of their labors at locations such as wineries, distilleries,
workshops or factories.
EXCLUSIVE HIDDEN TREASURES G
Sometimes, the most amazing sights are just around the
corner, but how would you know where to look or that they
were even there? With their intimate knowledge of Europe,
our Travel Directors love revealing its Hidden Treasures to
you on every itinerary.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
On every itinerary, you can customize your vacation with a
range of Optional Excursions that allow you to enhance your
experience should you so choose. Optional Excursions offer
unforgettable highlights of each destination at the most
competitive prices. Payment for these is made to your
Travel Director by credit card or cash (in the local currency).
For a full list of excursions, visit the itinerary pages at
www.trafalgar.com
Santorini, Greece
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Bon appétit!
A destination becomes more than just a place when you discover
the food. That’s why we ensure you get to enjoy a true taste of the
local culture, by showcasing the authentic flavors that are distinctive
to the area you’re visiting.
Tuscany, Italy
DELECTABLE Dining
HIGHLIGHT MEALS F
Some of the dining highlights included on your First Class
guided vacation are:
We include a variety of Highlight Meals, where you’ll dine
on regional cuisine at venues distinctive to the area you’re
visiting. A true highlight on your itinerary, we have sourced
the best local dining experiences that truly capture the
• A Welcome Reception E where you get to unwind and
meet your Travel Director and travel companions over a
drink and a light meal.
• Daily buffet breakfast including hot favorites like
eggs, bacon and sausage as well as cereals, pastries
and fruit. A traditional cooked breakfast is served in the
UK and Ireland.
• Selected lunches and dinners included, often featuring
the local flavors of the area. Enjoy wine with all your
included hotel dinners when traveling in the wine-growing
regions of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal N.
• Complimentary Wine Tasting H when you visit the
wine-growing regions of Europe on selected itineraries.
• A Farewell Dinner F where you’ll all get together one
last time for a memorable night out and say goodbye to
your newfound friends.
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culture of each region.
EXPLORE THE DINING SCENE
We believe the best way to dine during your vacation is with
the locals, so you can truly experience the culture and flavors
of each city. We have intentionally left some meals open for
you to sample the local dining scene yourself and make the
most of your free time. Your Travel Director will gladly assist
you with local dining information to help you decide where
to go.
Fattoria di Maiano, Florence, Italy
IENCE •
Trafalgar captures the true essence of the
destination with its exclusive Be My Guest dining
experiences. You’ll be welcomed into private
homes, working farms, wineries and other
family-run establishments for a true taste of local
culture, made possible only through Trafalgar’s
arrangements with your hosts.
GUEST
EXPER
BE MY
Be My Guest:
Your exclusive
invitation to dine
B
In the beautiful Tuscan countryside, our travelers will be
the invited guests of Count Francesco Miari Fulcis at
his family’s working olive grove estate. They will enjoy
an aperitif as they listen to the fascinating history of the
Fattoria and the olive oil-making process, before dining
on tasty local dishes.
Villa Il Leccio, Tuscany, Italy
B
A warm welcome awaits you at the Landi family villa
where you’ll dine on a magnificent home-cooked Italian
feast. As you sip an aperitif, enjoy a walk through the
gardens with its olive trees and magnificent views over
the Tuscan hills before indulging your taste-buds in
a delicious meal of regional specialties and local
Chianti wines.
Domaine Faverot, France
B
Join the owner of a family winery in southern France
whose great grandfather was made a Baron by
Napoleon. Sip an ‘apéro’ as a member of the Faverot de
Kerbrech family tells of the domaine’s wine and history.
Then enjoy a tour of the winery, a wine tasting and a
mouthwatering array of Provençal dishes for lunch.
Ledard Farm, Scotland
B
Greeted by the sounds of traditional Scottish bagpipes,
the Wood family invites you to their historical working
farm. After a guided walk, enjoy a hearty lunch in the
restored 17th century barn adorned with weapons
and clan banners of the era, followed by traditional
musical entertainment.
Count Francesco and guests at Fattoria di Maiano
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Your choice of vacations
No two people are the same. Neither are our guided vacations.
That's why we provide a range of vacation styles, so you can
choose the type of vacation that’s perfect for you.
Stonehenge, England
First Class Guided Vacations
Trafalgar opens the door to unforgettable
experiences every day. Our expert Travel Directors
take guests further than they ever imagined
possible. They’ll go past the crowds and beyond
the expected to discover what a destination’s
culture really looks and feels like as a local. They’ll
travel in style on luxury coaches and stay in First
Class hotels, ideally located so they can make the
most of every place they visit.
GUIDED VacationS
Take the insider’s path to Europe as you delve deep into
the heart of a particular region or travel on one of our
multi-country itineraries. Your Travel Director and Local
Guides reveal the unique people, places and sights that
make each destination so special. Plus, we’ll also look after
all of your accommodations, transportation, breakfasts and
other included meals.
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INSPIRED VacationS
Inspired Vacations provide an insider’s perspective on a
specialized area of interest relating to different destinations
across Europe. These guided vacations include our
World War I & II Battlefields, English Country Gardens and
Flavors of Italy itineraries.
CITY BREAKS
Explore London, Paris, Rome, Athens and Istanbul on
your own with the reassurance that Trafalgar’s friendly,
knowledgeable Local Hosts are there to help if needed.
We take care of your accommodations, breakfasts and
introductory sightseeing with Local Guides and Coach
Drivers in each city. But most of the time you’re free to
explore as you please.
TRAIN VacationS 8
Some of Europe’s most picturesque regions are best seen
by rail, so we’ve designed Train Vacations that help you see
more of the places not always accessible by coach. You’ll be
accompanied by an experienced Trafalgar Travel Director
and stay in ideally located First Class accommodations.
At Leisure o
Our At Leisure guided vacations are expertly designed
to give you more time to savor every part of
your vacation.
• All accommodations and transportation included
• Average stays of two or three nights
• Depart no earlier than 9am on most traveling days
• Plenty of free time to explore on your own
• Services of a Trafalgar Travel Director
• Small Group Sightseeing in select locations
To find out more visit www.TravelAtLeisure.com
EUROPE | THE AMERICAS | AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND | CHINA | VIETNAM
Great for budget-conscious travelers, these European
vacations feature the best value-for-money hotels,
more free time and quality inclusions like a Trafalgar
Travel Director and luxury coach travel, and still offer
savings of up to 30% off the cost of independent
travel.
What’s Included:
Join the
conversation!
• First Class Travel Directors
• Luxury coach travel
• Breakfast daily and half the evening meals
• Superior Tourist or First Class hotels
Be part of the Community
q
Designed to captivate travelers of all ages, every
element of our Family Experiences guided vacations
are tailored to the travel needs of families.
• All accommodations and transportation included
Head to the Trafalgar Community and chat with others
in our forums, ask questions, share photos and meet your
travel companions before your trip even starts in our
Trip Groups.
Visit www.trafalgar.com/community
Facebook
Get information as it happens around the world from
Trafalgar, our Travel Directors and guests traveling with us.
Like us now at www.facebook.com/TrafalgarTravel
• Services of a Trafalgar Travel Director
• In-depth sightseeing and family-friendly activities
• Local dining experiences
To discover our full range of Family Experiences and watch
it all come to life, visit www.FamilyTravelExperiences.com
EUROPE | GREAT BRITAIN | USA | CANADA
SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Twitter
Follow us on Twitter and get instant updates via
@TrafalgarTalk
Follow us at www.twitter.com/TrafalgarTalk
Trafalgar Blog
Be inspired and read real-life travel stories written by
Trafalgar guests from all over the world.
Visit www.TrafalgarBlog.com
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For every iconic destination there’s
an insider experience waiting to
be discovered.
To order any of our
new 2013 brochures
visit our website:
www.trafalgar.com
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Award-winning
excellence
Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards
2011 Best International Tour Operator
2010 Best International Tour Operator
2009 Best International Tour Operator
2008 Best International Tour Operator
2007 Best International Tour Operator
Travel Weekly Gold Magellan Award
2011 Award for our Autumn, Winter & Spring
Europe What’s New Flyer
2011 Award for our Europe Direct Mailer
2011 Award for our At Leisure DVD
2010 Award for our The Experience DVD
Protecting the places we visit and cultures we
interact with is important to Trafalgar. We are
committed to supporting sustainable tourism
initiatives and protecting the destinations we visit
to ensure they remain vibrant for future generations
of travelers. Through the TreadRight Foundation,
established by our parent company, The Travel
Corporation, we have helped to contribute more
than $1.5 million to initiatives worldwide. To learn
more, visit us at www.treadright.org
TravelAge West WAVE Awards
Travel Weekly
Silver
Magellan Award
WAVE Award
Logo Treatments
2011 Award for our Italian Holiday DVD
2011 Award for our Trade Direct Mailer
2011 Award
our At Leisure Advertising
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TravelAge West WAVE Awards
In cooperation with TreadRight, we're pleased to
support the National Trust, now for our second year.
The National Trust is committed to the protection
of the coastline and countryside in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland. To date, we've supported
the building of a state-of-the-art visitors center at
Northern Ireland’s Giant's Causeway, as well as an
appeal to safeguard the iconic White Cliffs of Dover.
Many Trafalgar itineraries visit National Trust sites.
Visit www.trafalgar.com for more information on our
commitment to sustainable tourism.
2012 Best Tour Operator, Europe
2011 Best Tour Operator, Europe
2010 Best Tour Operator, Europe
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
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Media Contact
Marie Anne MacRae
Director, Public Relations
E [email protected]
T 416-915-7016
www.trafalgar.com
facebook.com/TrafalgarTravel
@TrafalgarTalk
TrafalgarBlog.com
youtube.com/TrafalgarWeb